I'm so anxious about our flight!

[wiggles02]

We are leaving May 4th. Last year we flew with the kids for the first time and my DS(5) got sick when we exited the plane. I guess he gets airsick! I should have paid more attention, he was white as a sheet by the time the plane reached the gate. We cleaned him up and he was fine, the color came back to his face. On the flight home, he turned every shade of green during the descent, but didn't get sick. In fact, DH stayed with him on the plane so in case he got sick he would have a bag ready. I'm just anxious about whether or not to give him something, like the Benedryl that the doctor suggested. My DH says no, that he would deal with it (I get to sit across the aisle from the guys). I'm going to worry about this for the next two weeks and it is keeping me up at night and I really don't want to fly with them.

 

[Ariel8676]

Benedryl wouldn't do anything for airsickness, that may even make it worse...i would ask your pediatrician about dramamine or Bonine or even those motion sickness bracelets. Maybe get him a bit of ginger ale when you first board the plane, or has he ever had candied ginger (ginger is great for nausea)

 

[tjmw2727]

Both my dd's get airsick and carsick and we use dramamine. There is a chewable version with dosage for children. If your leary check with your dr but it works wonders and IMHO there is no reason to let your son go through this if it can be prevented. ITA with the pp - benadryl won't help with airsickness.

Starting at about age 3 we used 1/2 tablet of the chewable dramamine when traveling long distances or flying with the kids. Its orange flavor, dosen't make them drowsy and keeps them from being sick. Remind your dh that if your son has a fever you would give him tylenol so why not let your son have relief from airsickness?

I would also avoid milk and dairy for him the day of the flight, while it won't make airsickness worse if he does get sick it will be more "nasty" if you get my drift. I also find that with my kids that gum, often recommended for keeping the ears from poping while flying make them more airsick as does water. Clear juices in small amounts and a chewy candy like gummy candy or starburst work well for the ears without making them more airsick.

HTH
TJ

 

[CastleCreations]

I've had a son who got sick on the plane as we were boarding. From a virus, I guess. But I worried about it, constantly during my vacation, because I knew we'd have to get back on the plane to leave. I wouldn't worry about it. I believe giving him dramamine would help, and I wouldn't discuss it with him too much. If he sees that your worried about it, he might get worried too. I hope your little guy does all right. Bring a bag, and some baby wipes, and if he throws up, he throws up, he certainly wouldn't be the first one. It's much more embarrassing when an adult does it...

 

[denisekayt]

As someone who has experienced motion sickness (including car, airplanes, etc.) since I was very young, PLEASE don't hesitate to give him Dramamine or Bonine. Being motion sick is just awful and I hate to see it when parents don't give their kids medicine that would prevent it just because they "don't want to give medicine". It really is miserable to be sick like that and a little medicine is a small price to pay to avoid it.

 

[Disney4Family]

Wiggles..
Where are you flying out of? We live in CT too and are flying on the 4th as well!

Michelle

 

[SnowWhite12]

Benadryl does work for motion sickness with kids. Our pediatrician recommended it for our baby last year (of course the children's strength) to help with car sickness. And it was a lifesaver. (she used to get car sick just driving to and from church b/c of all the hills.)

 

[Tam1067]

Dramamine works very well and is safe.

We had a horrific flight from California to Chicago a few years ago with my DS (4 at the time) sick in just terrible ways. It was awful for the flight attendants and our fellow passengers, not to mention my DS of course.

He was very uneasy about flying to WDW last year, the first time we tried to fly since that awful experience a few years before. He did great--because I'm sure of the Dramamine. The child's dosage is right on the package, and your son will probably sleep much of the trip--mine did--but at least he wasn't sick.

Don't worry about it, but do your best to avoid a problem.

 

[Schmeck]

Benadryl does work for motion sickness with kids. Our pediatrician recommended it for our baby last year (of course the children's strength) to help with car sickness. And it was a lifesaver. (she used to get car sick just driving to and from church b/c of all the hills.)

The Benadryl could help with fluid in the inner ear canal, and it could make the kid too sleepy to realize that she was feeling carsick...

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I agree with OP. I would give Dramamine or Bonine to prevent the air sickness. What an awful way to start a vacation for a child-by tossing your cookies on the plane. Nauzene is also good, but it is more or less to help get rid of the nauseous feeling once it occurs-not to prevent it. Good luck!

 

[wiggles02]

Michelle,
We are leaving from BDL at 1pm. Now I bet you are praying that you won't be on our flight!

 

[bellarella]

Benedryl wouldn't do anything for airsickness, that may even make it worse...i would ask your pediatrician about dramamine or Bonine or even those motion sickness bracelets. Maybe get him a bit of ginger ale when you first board the plane, or has he ever had candied ginger (ginger is great for nausea)

Actually benedryl works very similarly to dramimine. Dramimine is a deriviative of the drug in benedryl. Benedryl takes less time to work than dramimine does, though, so it can be better.

 

[reginaastralis]

My brother gets motion sickness on the plane and has since a child. He joined the Navy, and has been FLYING constantly ever since. His joke is to stop in every airport on a different carrier. Anyways, he has gotten sick on every flight ... until the last one. Coming home from Iraq one of the guys noticed him looking queasy and gave him some dramamine ... Will said it was the first time he hasn't tossed his cookies while flying.

Good luck, I don't like flying with my brother, but I might now ...

 

[Ariel8676]

Actually benedryl works very similarly to dramimine. Dramimine is a deriviative of the drug in benedryl. Benedryl takes less time to work than dramimine does, though, so it can be better.

Well ya learn something new everyday huh..lol

 

[bellarella]

Well ya learn something new everyday huh..lol

Yup, and if you look at OTC sleep aids, many of them are the same drug as benedryl as well.

 

[bellarella]

To the OP, I would definitely give him something -- an advantage of benedryl is that they have the "Redistrips" that dissolve in the mouth, so you don't need to worry about pill swallowing or bringing liquids on board.

 

[sl_underwood]

my 14 yo dd has been sick every time we have been on a plane. Sometimes she doesnt vomit but the motion sickness is still there. We use dramamine for her (she even took one of them last time so she could ride mission space) and it works. Her advice to you is dont make your child sufer through the discomfort and bring a change of clothes just in case. Hope you have a woderful trip!

 

[Kae]

My friends son throws up about 30 mins after he gets off a plane everytime he flys. He says he get a really bad headache & then throws up & is fine. He has been told it is something with his inner ear.

Kae

 

[all4fun]

I have no personal experience however there is lots of info on line about children and motion sickness. Here's one site with lots of tips you might find helpful

http://www.sickkids.ca/kidshealth/summer02vol3issue2/queasy.asp

One thing I thought was interesting was this tip
Try to keep your child calm. Motion sickness is more likely to happen if a child is worried about having an episode.

Kids can read us better than we realize so try not to show how anxious you are about this to your child. I am definitely one of those parents that doesn't like to give drugs unnecessarily however IMHO if this were something my ds were going through I would have no problem giving him a drug which is proven to be safe when given as directed to help alleviate the problem. I have taken Bonine before (it was for a deep sea fishing excursion - I normally don't have a problem w/motion sickness) and it did make me REALLY sleep though so who knows, maybe it will help your ds sleep thru the flight. I'd rather have that happen than see him suffering and getting sick. jmho

Here's to hoping for a smooth and uneventful flight!

 

[dijid]

If you want a non-drug alternative, I'd recommend the wrist bands. I am extremely sensitive to motion sickness and I swear by them. I put them on the minute I board the plane and don't take them off until I've got my luggage! I've used them on boating outings, and even amusement park rides (the ones that spin do me in, but my kids love them.) And maybe even if it's only a placebo effect, it still works!